Reversible plow



H. A. PURSCHE REVERSIBLE PLOW Jan. 31, 19 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 29, 1952 INVENTOR. f/fl/P/PV A. PU/PSCf/E Ow 94x fifrdp/vz-ws Jan. 31, 1961 H. A. PURSCHE 2,969,843

REVERSIBLE PLOW Original Filed Nov. 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. bA/P/P 5 9. P1156005 Jan. 31, 1961 H. A. PURSCHE REVERSIBLE PLOW Original Filed Nov. 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

o-w 0M Jan. 31, 1961 H. A. PURSCHE 2,969,843

REVERSIBLE PLOW Original Filed Nov. 29. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 19 9??? 0, Pafis CHE REVERSIBLE PLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Nov. 29. 1952 20B lab 5b 5 B u E M E H u c n W 7 B m n 0 /!\V 2 Em a Q a I -7 e 6 4 n a 0 u a a 2 W l K /Q A 3 v. PM P mw as 4A B United States atent C) F" 2,969,843 REVERSIBLE new Harry A; Pursche, 16813 S. Vermont Ave, Gardena, Calif.

Commandant abandoned appt qatien so. o. 323,200, o a 1952. This application June 3,"1959,--Ser.N'. 817,822-

claims. (at 1524224 This invention relates to improvements in reversible plows.

Two way plows have been provided with tailwheel assemblies for regulating the depth of cut, butit has been found that a very large tail Wheel may be required if shallow furrows are desired. The tail wheel rolls on unploughed ground in either of two'operative positions'of the plow carrier. Commercial forms of two way plows'have employed a tail wheel assembly Comprising a wheel arm pivoted to the plow carrier mounted on the swinging end of the arm. In these prior art constructions, the axis of the tail wheel could never be positioned below the longitudinal turning axis of the carrier, becausethe adjustable stops for limiting the pivotal movement of the wheel arm wereniounted on the carrier.

I have found that a smaller tail' assembly may be eniployed, and shallow cuts achieved, by mounting a pair of laterally spaced adjustable contact elements at the end of the stationary longitudinal beam which supports the 'carrier. One of these contact elements engages the swinging arm for the tail wheel when a right-hand furrow is being produced, and the other contact element engages the same arm when a left-hand furrow is being produced. Each contact element is capable of maintaining the wheel axis below the longitudinal axis of the stationary beam and below the pivotal axis of the arm, and hence a relatively small tail wheel may be employed.

Accordingly, it is an important object of my invention to provide a two way plow capable of producing either deep or shallow furrows, and having a novel form of tail wheel assembly employing a single, relatively small wheel.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved latching device for the plow cariier of a tractor mounted reversible plow. v

Another object is to provide a tractor mounted reversible plow having a carrier-supporting beam which is detachably connected to the frame of the device.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail showing the plow device in raised position; v

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the plow device in operative position; I

Figure 4 is a perspective view, the tail being omitted for clarity of illustration;

Figure 5 is a plan view, partly broken away;

Figure 6 is a fraginental side elevation showing the wheel arm in engagement with one of the contact elements;

Figure 7 is a side elevation, taken substantially on the line 77, as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an end view, partly broken away, and with Certain of the parts omitted for clarity of illustration;

Patented Jan. 31, 1961 Figure 9 is a view,- similar to Figure 6, showing a modification;

Figure 10 is a plan view showing a further modified form of my invention;

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation, taken substantially onthe lines 11-11, as shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the lines 12--12, as shown in- Figure 11-;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail taken in the direction of lines 13-13, as shown in Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a side elevation of a portion of the tail wheel assembly shown in Figure 10.

This applicationis a continuation of my copending application Serial No; 323,200, filed November 29, 1952, now abandoned.

Referring to the drawings:

The tractor generally designated 10 may be provided with draft links- 11 of the Ford-Ferguson type. The usual control link 12 may also be provided; The tractor has the usual hydraulic power means for raising and lowering the links 11.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a plow carrier 13 having one or more right-hand plows 14 and one or more left-hand plows 15 mounted thereon. The plows 14 and 15 may be carried on standards 16 and secured to the carrier 13 by threaded elements 17. The carrier 13 is mounted to turn upon a stationary longitudinal beam 18 which projects rearwardly from the frame 19, This frame 19' includes a stationary tubular member 20 extending transversely of the beam 18. This tubular member 20 is welded to a tubular socket 21 which receives the forward end of the beam 18. A bolt 22 serves to connect the beam 18 to the socket member 21. An advantage of this construction is that the beam 18 and frame 19 may be dismantled for shipping.

A central strut 23 is fixed to the socket member 21-, and is pivotally connected to the control link 12 at 24. Side plates 25 are fixed to the opposed ends of the tubular member 20, and are pivotally connected to the draft links 11 at 26.

When the draft links 11 are raised, as shown in Figure 2, the frame 19, carrier 13, and plows are raised to clear the ground, and the entire plow device is tilted in a forward direction. When the draft links 11 are lowered to bring one of the plows or plow gangs into operative position, as shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal axis of the carrier 13 is swung to a substantially horizon= tal position.

Power means are provided for turning the carrier 13 relative to the longtiudinal beam 18; and, as shown in the drawings, this power means includes a double ended power cylinder 27 fixed on the cross member 20 and having a. piston rod 28 projecting from each end. A sheave 23a is mounted on each piston rod 23, and engages a flexible cable 29 which is reeved over a drum 30 provided at the forward end of the carrier 13.

The ends 31 of the cable are fixed to the stationary frame 19. From this description it will be understood that, when the power cylinder 27 is energized hydraulically to project one piston rod and retract the other, the carrier 13 is caused to turn through substantially onehalf a revolution relative to the frame 19. The power cylinder 27 is therefore used to swing the carrier 13 between its operative positions.

Means are provided for latching the carrier 13 in either A laterally projecting latching part 36 is fixed to the carrier 13 near the forward end thereof, and engages either of the latching lugs 32and 33. The carrier 13 is permitted limited endwisemovement on the beam 18, and this movement enables the part 36 to move under the nose 37 on each of the latching lugs. The draft force causes the part 36 to move rearwardly into latched position whenever the plows 14 or 15 are in the ground. When the carrier 13 and plows are raised clear of the ground, as shown in Figure 2, the carrier 13 slides forward on the beam 18 to permit the part 36 to move out of latched position. The inclination of the longitudinal beam 18 in raised position allows the carrier to gravitate across beam 18. Furthermore, the nose 37 does not completely overlie the part 36 and therefore turning movement applied to the carrier 13 by means of the cable 29 is effective to shift the carrier 13 forwardly, and thus release the latch.

The tail wheel assembly generally designated 40 includes a wheel arm 41, pivoted to the carrier at 42 and provided with a tail wheel 43 on its swinging end. The arm 41 projects rearwardly from its pivot support 42. A thrust receiving collar 44 is welded, or otherwise attached, to the rearward end of the longitudinal beam 18.

This collar 44, or bracket, is provided with laterally extending portions 45 which carry internally threaded bosses 46 at their extreme ends. form of bolts 47 and 48 are threadedly received within the bosses 46 and held in adjusted position by means of lock nuts 49. The lower ends of the bolts 47 and 48 serve as abutments to engage the surface 50 on the wheel arm 41 and thereby limit the pivotal movement of the arm. The contact element 47 engages the arm 41 when the carrier 13 is in position to bring the right-hand plows 14 into ground-engaging relation. Similarly, the contact element 48 engages the wheel arm 41 when the left-hand plows 15 are in ground-engaging relation. The engagement of the contact elements with the wheel arm 41 serves to limit the extent of lowering movement of the beam 18 and carrier 13 and thereby control the depth of the furrows. Only a relatively small tail wheel 43 is required, since its rotary axis is maintained below the longitudinal axis of the beam 18 and the horizontal transverse axis of the wheel arm pivot 42. A small tail wheel is a distinct advantage because it reduces the ofi-center weight and reduces the weight which the tractor must lift.

When the tractor raises the beam 18 and carrier 13 to lift the plows above the ground, the wheel arm 41 swings downwardly relative to the carrier 13. This downward motion is arrested when one of the limit stops 51 or 52 on arm 41 engages the carrier 13. When the carrier is turned, by means of the cable 29 and power cylinder 27, the arm 41 and wheel 43 swing under the beam 18 and the arm is then engaged by the contact element 48.

In the operation of the device shown in Figures 17, the tail wheel 43 rolls on unploughed ground while either the right-hand or left-hand plows are in ground-engaging position. When the end of the field is reached, the operator (not shown) on the tractor actuates a valve which causes the draft links 11 to be raised. The tail wheel 43 remains on the ground until one of the limit stops 51 or 52 engages the carrier 13, and thereafter the arm and wheel are lifted bodily with the carrier 13. While the tractor is turning around at the end of the field, the operator directs hydraulic fluid from the tractor system into the power cylinder 27 to cause it to turn the carrier 13 on the beam 18, and to bring the other plow gang into plowing position. The draft latch holding the part 36 releases when turning effort is applied to the carrier 13, and the carrier slides forward on the beam 18 until it engages the stationary frame 19.

The tail wheel 43 swings under the beam 18 and again assumes a position to roll on unploughed ground. The wheel arm 41 is engaged by one of the contact elements 47 or 48. When the draft links 11 are lowered to bring Contact elements in the the plows into engagement with the ground, the draft force applied by the plows to the carrier 13 causes the carrier to move rearwardly into engagement with the thrust collar 44 and to move the latch part 36 under the nose of one of the latching lugs 32 or 33.

The point of engagement of the contact elements 47 with the swinging wheel arm 41 need not be at a location directly over the wheel axis. As shown in Figure 9, the contact element 47a may engage the wheel arm 41a at a location to the rear of the axis of the wheel 43. If desired, the limit stop members 51a and 52a may be mounted on the carrier 13 and shaped to engage the wheel arm 41a at a location forward of the pivot point 42a. The members 5111 and 52a act in the same manner as the limit stops 51 and 52 previously described to limit downward movement of the wheel 43 with respect to the carrier 13. The stop members prevent the wheel 43 from dropping below the lowest point of the plow shares.

As shown in Figure 14, the contact element 47b may engage the wheel arm 41b at a location in advance of the position of the axis of the wheel 43.

In that form of my invention shown in Figures 10-14, the longitudinal beam 18b is welded, or otherwise fixed, to the transverse member 20b. In other respects, the mounting of the frame 19b upon the links 11 and 12 of the tractor is substantially the same as that previously described. The tail wheel assembly 401; is also similar to the construction previously described, with the exception that the contact elements engage the wheel arm 41b at a location in advance of the axis of the wheel 43b. The power cylinder 27b operates in substantially the same manner to turn the carrier 13b. However, a different form of latching device is provided for maintaining the carrier 13b in either of its two operative positions. As shown in Figures 10-13, this latch means includes a pair of laterally spaced swinging latches 60 and 61, each pivotally mounted on a bracket 62. Each bracket 62 is provided with a serrated surface 63 for engagement with a similar surface 64 provided on the frame 19b. Threaded elements 65 hold the brackets 62 in adjusted position. A rod 66 is pivotally connected to each swinging latch, and extends through an opening provided in a fitting 67 pivotally mounted at one end of a swinging bar 68. An abutment piece 69 is adjustably fixed to each of the rods 66, and this abutment piece is engaged by the fitting 67. A compression spring 70 encircles a portion of each of the rods 66, and is confined between a second abutment piece 71 on the rod and the fitting 67.

The swinging bar 68 is fixed to a pivot shaft 72 supported in spaced bearings 73 provided on the upstanding strut 74. A part 75 is fixed to this shaft 72 and is provided with cars 76 which engage the stationary strut 74 by permitting limited pivotal movement of the part 75. The ends 31b of the cable 2% are secured to the part 75. The construction and arrangement of the parts is such that, when the power cylinder 27b projects one of its piston rods, the tension in the cable 2% adjacent that rod is greater than the tension in the portion of the cable adjacent the opposed piston rod.

This difference in cable tension serves to swing the part 75 and thus turn the shaft 72 and swing the bar 68. This movement of the swinging bar 68 is communicated through the rods 66 to move one of the latches 60 toward operative position and the other toward inoperative position. Thus, as shown in Figure 12, movement of the piston rods to the right, to swing the carrier in a clockwise direction, serves to swing the part 75, shaft 72, and swinging bar 68 in a counterclockwise direction. This movement swings latch 60 toward inoperative position and swings latch 61 toward operative position. The latch part 36b therefore swings away from latch 60 and contacts the curved surface 77 on the latch 61. The spring 70 compresses to permit the latch 61 to be swung aside while the part 36b continues its clockwise motion until it engages the abutment 78. In a similar manner, movement of the piston rods to the left, as viewed in Figure 12, serves to release the latch 61, swing the carrier 13b in a counterclockwise direction, and cause engagement of the latch part 36b with the curved surface 79 of the latch 60. The latch 60 moves out of the way to allow the latch part 36b to rest on the abutment 80.

The thrust collar 44b is fixed to the rear end of the beam 18b by means of the bolt 81. The laterally projecting parts 45b are fixed to this thrust collar and carry the contact elements at their outer ends for engagement with the wheel arm 41b.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a two way plow, the combination of: a mobile frame including a rearwardly extending longitudinal beam, a carrier mounted to turn on said beam, groundengaging plow means mounted upon the carrier for producing either a right-hand furrow or a left-hand furrow, means for turning the carrier to either of two operative positions to form a right-hand furrow or a left-hand furrow, as desired, a swinging arm pivotally connected to said carrier, stop means limiting pivotal movement of the arm relative to the carrier in either direction, a tail wheel mounted on said swinging arm and adapted to roll upon unploughed ground in either operative position of said carrier, a stationary bracket fixed relative to the longitudinal beam near the rear end thereof, a pair of laterally spaced contact elements on said bracket, each of said elements engaging said wheel arm at a location directly above the wheel axis in one of the operative positions of the carrier to limit downward movement of the carrier.

2. In a two way plow, the combination of: a mobile frame including a rearwardly extending longitudinal beam, a carrier mounted to turn on said beam, groundengaging plow means mounted upon the carrier for producing either a right-hand furrow or a left-hand furrow, means for turning the carrier to either of two operative positions to form a right-hand furrow or a left-hand furrow, as desired, a swinging arm pivotally connected to said carrier, stop means limiting pivotal movement of the arm relative to the carrier in either direction, a tail wheel mounted on said swinging arm and adapted to roll upon unploughed ground in either operative position of said carrier, a stationary bracket fixed relative to the longitudinal beam near the rear end thereof, a pair of laterally spaced contact elements on said bracket, each of said elements engaging said wheel arm at a location rearwardly from the wheel axis in one of the operative positions of the carrier to limit downward movement of the carrier.

3. In a two way plow, the combination of: a mobile frame provided with a longitudinally extending separate tubular socket, a beam having its forward end axially insertable into said socket, releasable means forwardly of said frame for securing the beam to the socket, a thrustreceiving element secured near the rearward end of the beam, a carrier turnably mounted on said beam between the frame and the thrust-receiving element, ground-engaging plow means on the carrier for producing either a right-hand furrow or a left-hand furrow, and power means on the frame for turning the carrier relative to the beam.

4. In a two way plow, the combination of: a mobile frame provided with a longitudinally extending separate tubular socket, a beam having its forward end axially insertable into said socket, releasable means securing the beam to the frame, said means including a transverse bolt forwardly of said frame and projecting through the socket and the beam and acting to prevent relative longitudinal and rotary movement therebetween, a thrust-receiving element secured near the rearward end of the beam, a plow carrier turnably mounted on said beam between the frame and the thrust-receiving element, and groundengaging plow means mounted on said carrier.

5. In a two-way plow, the combination of: a mobile frame having a cross member, the cross member being provided with a longitudinally extending centrally positioned tubular socket fixed thereto, a tubular beam having its forward end axially insertable to fit into said socket, releasable means for preventing movement of the beam relative to the socket, a thrust-receiving element secured near the rearward end of the beam, a carrier turnably mounted on said beam between the frame and the thrustreceiving element, ground-engaging plow means on the carrier for producing either a right-hand furrow or a lefthand furrow, and hydraulic power means on the frame cross member for turning the carrier relative to the beam.

Neufang Mar. 23, 1926 Chandler July 8, 1958 

